Skip to main content
to stitch

to stitch

99 2.5
To join or repair cloth with a needle and thread
  • verb
  • /stɪtʃ/
translation icon : coser
  • I can even stitch in a pinch, which probably wouldn't be such a bad idea on this.
  • stitch together
  • stitch the fabric
  • stitch pieces together

Examples

  • Next, with the same needle, we see her stitching together something slinky, stretchy, and black.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • I stitch a lot of little flowers and stars, too.

  • And then I hand stitch them and put them together.

  • I need to stitch his arm.

  • Multiple points can be assigned to a single point in order to stitch together several cloth sections.

    Academic text (1995)
  • And just as if you were stitching clothes, we're going to stitch along the way.

  • Shaking her head, she sets the suit back in place to stitch up another seam.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Women are seated behind large sewing machines, stitching houndstooth seat covers for automobiles.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Sally sits at a sewing machine, abjectly stitching Jack's Santa Claus suit.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • The nurse will stitch the wound to help it heal properly.

Synonyms

to sew
vsto stitch
242 1.0

Join, fix and make clothes and other things made of cloth using a needle and thread or a machine

focuses on hand needlework to fasten or join cloth
to suture
vsto stitch
  • Specialized
14 7.3

To sew a cut or wound closed with thread

refers to cloth fastening rather than medical tissue joining
to sew together
vsto stitch
7 2.3

To join two pieces of cloth with a needle and thread

involves fastening or repairing cloth sections with needle and thread
to stitch up
vsto stitch
6 3.9

To sew a hole or loose edge to make clothing whole again

is a general fastening action rather than only mending hems
to run up
vsto stitch
  • UK
4 4.2

Make clothes quickly by sewing, for example a dress

is about the basic act of joining, not speed or quick production
to seam
vsto stitch
3 3.6

To join pieces of cloth by sewing their edges together

describes the action of fastening parts rather than the joined line
to double stitch
vsto stitch
  • Specialized
1 4.1

To sew two rows of stitches for extra strength or decoration

uses a single row of thread to fasten cloth rather than two rows
to overlock
vsto stitch
  • UK
1 6.3

To sew fabric edges with a special stitch to stop them coming apart

is a general fastening action, not a specific edge finishing method
to backstitch
vsto stitch
  • Specialized
7.3

To sew by putting the needle back into the cloth behind the last hole to make a strong continuous line

is the general joining method, not this specific overlapping motion
to hemstitch
vsto stitch
  • Specialized
9.9

To sew the edge of fabric with a decorative open border

focuses on fastening or joining cloth, not decorative border work

Idioms

2 9.0

Not wearing any clothes

Phrasal Verbs

6 3.9

To sew a hole or loose edge to make clothing whole again

To make a plan by joining different ideas and parts

Compounds

1 4.2

A way of sewing small X shapes into cloth to make pictures

running stitch
  • Specialized
1 3.5

A simple sewing line made by passing a needle in and out of cloth at regular spaces

to double stitch
  • Specialized
1 4.1

To sew two rows of stitches for extra strength or decoration

double stitch
  • Specialized
1 5.3

A crochet stitch you make by pulling the yarn through twice to make taller, looser fabric

garter stitch
  • Jargon
1 8.0

A pattern made by knitting every row to make raised lines across the fabric

tent stitch
  • Specialized
1 8.9

A small diagonal stitch used in needlepoint

slip stitch
  • Specialized
1 6.5

A small hidden sewing loop that catches one or two threads to close cloth neatly

basting stitch
  • Specialized
7.0

A long loose temporary stitch that holds fabric layers before final sewing

blind stitch machine
  • Specialized
7.5

A sewing machine that joins fabric so the thread is not seen on the outside of clothes

blanket stitch
  • Specialized
5.8

A strong decorative stitch for the edge of thick fabric to stop fraying

buttonhole stitch
  • Specialized
7.2

A row of small sewn loops that finish and strengthen fabric edges around buttonholes

chain stitch
  • Specialized
4.6

A line of loops made with thread used in embroidery or crochet to make a chain pattern on fabric

A loop made by pulling yarn through another loop with a small hook

A single stitch made with a needle and thread to decorate cloth

faggot stitch
  • Specialized
9.9

A decorative sewing method that joins rows of threads or fabric edges in an open pattern

9.9

A decorative stitch that joins fabric pieces with small tied threads to make a lacy edge

flame stitch
  • Jargon
8.2

An embroidery pattern of zigzag lines that look like small flames

knitting stitch
  • Specialized
3.4

A small loop of yarn made on a needle to make cloth by hand

knit stitch
  • Specialized
3.3

A basic loop made with needles when making cloth from yarn

lazy daisy stitch
  • Specialized
9.7

A sewing way to make small loops like flower petals on cloth

A line of thread that a sewing machine makes to join fabric

half cross stitch
  • Specialized
7.2

A single slanted needle movement that makes part of a cross shape in embroidery

hemming-stitch
  • Specialized
7.7

A small stitch that holds the folded edge of a skirt or dress so it looks neat

purl stitch
  • Specialized
8.2

A way of making a loop in knitting that makes a bumpy texture

to purl stitch
  • Specialized
8.7

To make a bumpy stitch by bringing yarn to the front and putting the needle through a loop

saddle stitch
  • Specialized
7.0

A line of sewing that uses visible thread along an edge, often in a different color

A sewing stitch made by passing the needle and thread over the cloth edge to join or finish it

5.3

A basic knitting move where you push the needle through the front of a loop

satin stitch
  • Specialized
6.1

Rows of sewing placed close together to fill an area and make a smooth, shiny surface

A single pass of thread through cloth to hold pieces of cloth together

A row of thread that a sewing machine makes to join pieces of fabric

shell stitch
  • Jargon
6.7

A crochet pattern where several loops are made in one place to form a fan shape

7.7

To make crochet rows or edges that form fan shapes

single stitch
  • Specialized
5.7

A simple crochet action that pulls a loop through two loops on the hook

single stitch
  • Specialized
3.7

A single thread used to close a cut in the skin after injury or surgery

stockinette stitch
  • Specialized
7.2

A knitting pattern of alternating knit and purl rows that makes a smooth fabric used for sweaters

How Secure

to reinforce
99 3.9
to backstitch
  • Specialized
7.3
to stitch
99 2.5
to baste
  • Specialized
1 7.5

Surface Forms

stitch infinitive
stitched past
stitched past participle
stitching present participle
stitches third person singular

Etymology

The verb stitch comes from the same old word meaning 'to prick' with a needle, so to stitch is to use a needle and thread to join or repair cloth or to close a wound.